Thoughts, suggestions, and advice on success for managers, sales professionals and entrepreneurs.

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Accountability Breeds Response-ability

“Accountability breeds response-ability.” -Stephen R. Covey

When dealing with business issues with some of my consulting
clients, I often find people who are more concerned with placing blame than for
fixing the problem. To one middle level manager, I recommended that she read Where the Winners Live: Sell More, Earn
More, Achieve More Through Personal Accountability by Dave Porter and Linda
Galindo.

Accountability is built on
trust, so honor every appointment. “If you consistently breach even the
smallest agreements – the ones that seem to matter little to you,” Porter and
Galindo write, “you’re building a reputation, a personal culture of distrust.” page
39

Asking for help is a great way
to help yourself. “If you’re earning $200,000 today and want to make $300,000
next year, tell this to a person who will hold you to his or her high
standards.” page 82

Break in new employees slowly. “Throwing
a huge chore at a newcomer right away can yield the opposite result. Increase
expectations gradually to give them time to adjust and develop confidence.” page
164

“Winners” have a mind set
rooted in 100 percent confidence that no outcome is beyond their control. But “truly
accountable people ar always game to look at an unexpected result and wonder
what they might have done differently to prevent it.” page 210

Here are some quotes to help you focus on making yourself
(and your business) better by eliminating
blame and victim thinking:

“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the
world, he is responsible for everything he does. It is up to you to give [life]
a meaning.” -Jean-Paul Sartre

“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for
most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.” -Theodore Roosevelt

“This is your life. You are responsible for it. You will not
live forever. Don't wait.”-Natalie
Goldberg

“The power behind taking responsibility for your actions
lies in putting an end to negative thought patterns. You no longer dwell on
what went wrong or focus on whom you are going to blame. You don't waste time
building roadblocks to your success. Instead, you are set free and can now
focus on succeeding.” -Lorii Myers

“The final forming of a person's character lies in their own
hands.” -Anne Frank

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape
ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are
ultimately our own responsibility.” -Eleanor Roosevelt